“The agenda for the 2019 National Association for Law Placement (NALP) Annual Education Conference in San Diego offers nearly a dozen sessions centered around themes of managing stress, promoting mental health and maintaining work-life balance. Some days at the conference also begin with the opportunity to attend a wellness session, such as yoga, a barre class and a 5K fun run and walk. With the title of “Lighting the Way,” the conference’s emphasis on lawyer wellness in such a challenging industry is not surprising. For better or worse, the practice of law is generally accepted as a tough profession in which attorneys often overwork and they are susceptible to the dreaded “burnout”.”

]]>226643The Demand for Brand Lawyers in Life Scienceshttps://www.inhouseblog.com/brand-lawyers/
Mon, 18 Mar 2019 14:42:49 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=226597Brand lawyers are in demand in the life sciences industry, does your skillset fit the bill? Princeton Legal Search Group gives its thoughts on what life sciences companies are looking for: “The term brand lawyer...]]>

Brand lawyers are in demand in the life sciences industry, does your skillset fit the bill? Princeton Legal Search Group gives its thoughts on what life sciences companies are looking for:

“The term brand lawyer is often used to describe an attorney with experience supporting a specific brand/product that is on the market. For example, a…lawyer within the pharmaceutical industry would support a commercial pharmaceutical product that is not generic. This lawyer typically supports various internal client groups such as Sales & Marketing, Market Access, Medical Affairs, and Compliance…Having experience working with generic life sciences products is sought after in this market, however, we see higher demand for lawyers who have supported branded products. The experience of sitting in a promotional review committee meeting and advising on what is permissible for promotional/advertising materials for a certain product is definitely in demand…For those who have supported a specific branded product, however, these companies are willing to pay a premium.”

]]>226597What To Leave Off Your Resumehttps://www.inhouseblog.com/leave-off-your-resume/
Wed, 13 Mar 2019 15:00:00 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=226400Leave off your resume things that recruiters dislike and your job prospects will improve. Recruiters are a diverse bunch and resumes vary by industry, but you may be better off omitting some items from your...]]>

Leave off your resume things that recruiters dislike and your job prospects will improve. Recruiters are a diverse bunch and resumes vary by industry, but you may be better off omitting some items from your legal resume. When in doubt, talk to a recruiter working for you and have them do a resume review.

“There are any number of reasons a recruiter will call you in for a job (or not)…Whether you’re applying for online jobs, submitting to job agencies, or applying to companies directly, résumés and CVs are still a fundamental way recruiters and hiring managers view your experience at a glance. They’re still important.Here are five things recruiters (including one I interviewed from Accenture) wish you’d leave off your résumé​…“

]]>226400When You Feel Unappreciated At Workhttps://www.inhouseblog.com/unappreciated-at-work/
Mon, 11 Mar 2019 14:30:17 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=226397Do in-house counsel feel unappreciated at work? When you hear “cost-center”, “they always say no”, “legal slows us down” on a weekly basis, it is hard not to get that feeling. Fortunately, there are things...]]>

Do in-house counsel feel unappreciated at work? When you hear “cost-center”, “they always say no”, “legal slows us down” on a weekly basis, it is hard not to get that feeling. Fortunately, there are things you can do, and don’t forget you need to get your r-e-s-p-e-c-t too:

“Everyone has a need to be appreciated. Yet most of us have, at some point in our working lives, felt unappreciated. In that you aren’t alone. A Gallup Poll found that 65% of American workers felt unappreciated. Feeling undervalued leads to a loss for yourself as well as the organization. For you, the results could be increased negativity, loss of motivation or morale, and for the organization, a loss of productivity.”

]]>226397Train Yourself To Deal With Criticismhttps://www.inhouseblog.com/deal-with-criticism/
Wed, 06 Mar 2019 15:17:50 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=226164Deal with criticism effectively and you will be a more productive and emotionally satisfied lawyer. Easier than it sounds? Perhaps, especially as many lawyers have skin thinner than a wafer-thin mint. “Anyone who’s ever been...]]>

Deal with criticism effectively and you will be a more productive and emotionally satisfied lawyer. Easier than it sounds? Perhaps, especially as many lawyers have skin thinner than a wafer-thin mint.

“Anyone who’s ever been on the receiving end of negative feedback can attest that it sucks. Aside from the emotional discomfort of being told your work isn’t good enough, the physical responses of a racing heart, tense muscles, and increasing blood pressure aren’t exactly pleasant. As we shift into fight-or-flight mode, it’s tempting to 1) heatedly defend ourselves–“It wasn’t my fault!”, 2) mentally check out of a conversation–“What does he know anyway?”, or 3) become frozen in a self-defeating loop of negative thoughts–“I’ll never be good enough.” But, when it comes to work, the further I progress in my career, the more I’m convinced that pushing past those initial reactions and responding positively to negative feedback is a secret superpower.”

]]>22616460 Tips For Lawyers in 60 Minuteshttps://www.inhouseblog.com/tips-for-lawyers/
Mon, 04 Mar 2019 14:55:00 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=226323The ABA Techshow’s 60 Tips for Lawyers in 60 Minutes is always a crowd-pleaser. See some of the latest and greatest tips and tricks that may help you in your daily life as a lawyer....]]>

The ABA Techshow’s 60 Tips for Lawyers in 60 Minutes is always a crowd-pleaser. See some of the latest and greatest tips and tricks that may help you in your daily life as a lawyer.

“Per tradition, ABA Techshow ended with a rapid-fire presentation of 60 novel technologies and tips in 60 minutes that touched on cybersecurity, process improvements and kitschy gadgets…On the process improvement side, there was Flow-e, which creates a visual workflow within Microsoft Office or Gmail. For presenters looking to up their game, Poll Everywhere allows for real time polling feedback that goes right into a Keynote, Google Slides or PowerPoint presentation. However, if you’re speaking to an audience larger than 25 people, the product comes at a steep price… For those with an Amazon.com addiction, the panel introduced the audience to the Depstech Wireless Endoscope, a Wi-Fi enabled snake camera; and a drink warmer or chiller that also has a wireless charging device for your phone.”

]]>2263235 Things You Should Do Right Before a Big Negotiationhttps://www.inhouseblog.com/big-negotiation/
Thu, 28 Feb 2019 14:24:00 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=225715Prepping for a big negotiation is something in-house counsel try to do – if they have put out all of the fires on their desk and have the bandwidth to think things through. Sometimes with...]]>

Prepping for a big negotiation is something in-house counsel try to do – if they have put out all of the fires on their desk and have the bandwidth to think things through. Sometimes with a big negotiation, getting back to the basics is key. A few fundamental questions asked beforehand can lead to better results. Negotiate like a boss!

“Want to make more money? Negotiate. Want to get a better price with a vendor? Negotiate. Want to hire that rock star new hire? Yup, you guessed it….negotiate. Over the past 25 years, I have helped thousands of business owners scale and grow their companies to new heights. And the single most important skill that all of them have had to master, is the art of negotiation. Unfortunately…the mere thought of entering into a negotiation causes their anxiety levels to rise. And for many this fear can impede their growth significantly. Here are the top five things that I teach all our coaching clients to do right before a big negotiation.”

]]>225715The Lawyer Who Specializes In Despicable Clientshttps://www.inhouseblog.com/despicable-clients/
Wed, 27 Feb 2019 05:17:07 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=225927Even despicable clients need counsel, and you may find particularly effective counsel outside the hallowed halls of Biglaw. Take the case of Jose Baez, who has made a career representing despicable clients – and winning....]]>

Even despicable clients need counsel, and you may find particularly effective counsel outside the hallowed halls of Biglaw. Take the case of Jose Baez, who has made a career representing despicable clients – and winning.

“In a profile in Variety magazine, writer Gene Maddaus discusses the career of Jose Baez, the lawyer who bumped…Benjamin Brafman, off Harvey Weinstein’s legal team in a dispute over strategy. Baez made headlines in 2011, when he defended Casey Anthony…besides the Anthony verdict, Baez has gained acquittals for Aaron Hernandez, the former New England Patriots tight end, on a murder charge; David Demos, a bond trader who was charged with fraud in Connecticut; and Benjamin Shaw, who was accused of murdering a man in a bar fight in Louisiana.”

]]>225927EY Law Rolls Out Legal AI Doc Review Capability Globallyhttps://www.inhouseblog.com/legal-ai-doc-review/
Thu, 21 Feb 2019 14:44:22 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=225711The bean-counters continue their march into Biglaw territory, this time rolling out legal AI doc review globally. Yes, they are bringing bots with them. This is reminiscent of Ice Pirates, but they are coming for...]]>

The bean-counters continue their march into Biglaw territory, this time rolling out legal AI doc review globally. Yes, they are bringing bots with them. This is reminiscent of Ice Pirates, but they are coming for Biglaw billions, not water.

“EY Law, which has over 2,000 lawyers across 81 jurisdictions, will use the system across its legal advisory and managed legal services (MLS) groups. The Big Four firm also recently acquired Riverview Law, the MLS company, which it intends to grow. Rivals such as PwC also have a large legal and MLS capability that also use legal AI tech for review tasks.”

Sterling Miller, author, former GC and long-time in-house lawyer, former Biglaw lawyer, what else can be said. Oh yes, his Ten Things blog – a great resource for in-house counsel. We hope to see more of his blog postings this year, and don’t forget – be indispensable!

“Hello everyone…I like to begin the year thinking about what issues will be most important for in-house lawyers over the upcoming 12 months. As you can imagine, there is plenty out there that we all need to be concerned about. Still, I read a lot over the holidays and jotted down plenty of notes about the most interesting developments. Obviously, I have no monopoly on setting out what’s important….Still, I think the below is a helpful list of topics, some of which everyone will find applicable to their legal department. This edition of “Ten Things” sets out my 2019 list of essential issues for in-house counsel….”

]]>225646Will AI Put Lawyers Out Of Business?https://www.inhouseblog.com/ai-put-lawyers-out-of-business/
Wed, 13 Feb 2019 14:43:00 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=225397Will AI put lawyers out of business? The legal AI barbarians are already storming the gates, but how and what will legal AI impact? What will a legal role look like in the future? “What...]]>

“What is the law but a series of algorithms? Codified instructions proscribing dos and don’ts—ifs and thens. Sounds a lot like computer programming, right? The legal system, on the other hand, is not as straightforward as coding…So, can artificial intelligence help? Very much so. Law firms are already using AI to more efficiently perform due diligence, conduct research and bill hours. But some expect the impact of AI to be much more transformational. It’s predicted AI will eliminate most paralegal and legal research positions within the next decade. Could judges and lawyers share the same fate?”

]]>225397Three Types of Resumes That People Don’t Want to Readhttps://www.inhouseblog.com/resumes-that-people-dont-want-to-read/
Mon, 11 Feb 2019 14:41:05 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=225309Resumes that people don’t want to read flood hiring managers’ and recruiters’ mailboxes and can cause great consternation. Most importantly, they may put the candidate at the back of the line for a coveted in-house...]]>

Resumes that people don’t want to read flood hiring managers’ and recruiters’ mailboxes and can cause great consternation. Most importantly, they may put the candidate at the back of the line for a coveted in-house counsel job.

“In the countless resumes that I have reviewed over the years, and in those I have rewritten for clients, there are a few major flaws that stand out so often they merit their own post. These common resume mistakes aren’t limited to the folks who are unsuccessful in their careers. In fact, they are so ubiquitous among those who “should know better” that it prompts me to ask: why do smart people write dumb resumes? Beyond poor writing and lazy proofreading, here are three of the most common culprits in bad resume land…..As I consistently say to clients, your resume is not an obituary, it’s a marketing document.”

]]>225309Will An Inflated Legal Job Title Hurt My Marketability?https://www.inhouseblog.com/legal-job-title/
Tue, 05 Feb 2019 19:17:18 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=225139If you are a young in-houser with an inflated legal job title, you might be concerned about your future marketability. A legal job title doesn’t mean everything, but you might get tripped up if you...]]>

If you are a young in-houser with an inflated legal job title, you might be concerned about your future marketability. A legal job title doesn’t mean everything, but you might get tripped up if you are the GC at a small start-up and then try to apply for a mid-level in-house job elsewhere.

“There are many roads that can lead to the rank and title of General Counsel. Some roads are loooong and winding. Some are straight up a steep hill. Some have a series of potholes and roadblocks…And others…are an easy stroll up the block. While it is uncommon for a young, more inexperienced lawyer to achieve the designation and status of General Counsel (GC) in an organization, it does occur (primarily in private/emerging growth organizations). And while there are virtues to such a meteoric rise, there can also be challenges. The reality is that GC titles do not guarantee like titles…or roles for the rest of a career.”

]]>225139The Battle for Talent in the Legal Markethttps://www.inhouseblog.com/battle-for-talent/
Mon, 28 Jan 2019 17:33:59 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=224572The battle for talent is being fiercely fought in the legal market, with thousands of in-house counsel jobs open and even General Counsel job openings appearing in far greater numbers than previously seen. Who will...]]>

The battle for talent is being fiercely fought in the legal market, with thousands of in-house counsel jobs open and even General Counsel job openings appearing in far greater numbers than previously seen. Who will come out as winners of this legal tug of war – Biglaw, accounting firms, in-house legal departments, the public sector and non-profits are all vying for the same limited pool of qualified attorneys.

“A battle is underway for talent in the legal market…We read regularly about the battle to hire fresh legal talent from law school. What else explains the recent bump in first year associate salaries. Whether law school rank and grades are a proxy for legal talent is irrelevant here. Law firms clearly treat that battle as one for legal talent. But law firms seek more than just legal talent. The battle for lateral partner talent garners – for now – the most press. Query if that is legal talent war or just a battle for rainmakers?”

]]>224572Is Your Boss a Pie Ducker?https://www.inhouseblog.com/pie-ducker/
Wed, 09 Jan 2019 14:30:00 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=223893Pie ducker is not a phrase heard often, probably because the phrase loses out to a similar-sounding expletive. A pie ducker may also be a toxic boss and, if so, hold your head high and...]]>

Pie ducker is not a phrase heard often, probably because the phrase loses out to a similar-sounding expletive. A pie ducker may also be a toxic boss and, if so, hold your head high and know when to hit the road.

“We’ve all had the experience of working together with our boss or a co-worker developing an idea we have into something our firm can actually act on. Oftentimes, that can mean that you need your boss’s help to push your plan up the ladder–sometimes even up to the CEO or even the board of directors. Then, when the day comes where you actually get to present your plan to the leaders of the company, your expectation is that your boss or co-worker will have your back….But imagine your surprise when, as the objections start to fly your way, you suddenly find yourself flying solo.”

]]>223893Lifestyle Tips for Disorganized Lawyershttps://www.inhouseblog.com/disorganized-lawyers/
Mon, 07 Jan 2019 14:15:00 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=223919Disorganized lawyers do not despair, help is available. Take a listen and get more organized, it will help your life and your practice of the law. Whether you have piles of yellowing paper on your...]]>

Disorganized lawyers do not despair, help is available. Take a listen and get more organized, it will help your life and your practice of the law. Whether you have piles of yellowing paper on your desk from 1992 or found a slice of pizza in a folder from your last deal, help is available, and you can even consider hiring a concierge.

“In this episode of Asked and Answered, professional organizer Janet Taylor speaks with the ABA Journal’s Stephanie Francis Ward to share tips and tricks for finally conquering mounds of paperwork and constantly lost house keys…

If you are interested in hiring an organizer, Taylor advises getting references from someone who has had a project done that is similar to what you want to accomplish.”

]]>223919Nine Ways to Reignite Your Professional Passionhttps://www.inhouseblog.com/professional-passion/
Thu, 03 Jan 2019 14:11:07 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=223814Professional passion may not be something you are thinking about at all this time of year, but if you are feeling burned out, here are some tips that may help. Make yourself irreplaceable this year!...]]>

Professional passion may not be something you are thinking about at all this time of year, but if you are feeling burned out, here are some tips that may help. Make yourself irreplaceable this year!

“Burnout. It’s particularly prevalent this time of the year. It’s dark when you come into the office. And it’s dark when you leave. For weeks and weeks, you’ve been striving hard to finish out the year, yet the work seems never-ending. It’s tough to feel a sense of accomplishment if you leave at the end of the day with more work than when you started. Typical run-of-the-mill burnout might just mean you need a good night’s sleep and a day off. However, there is a more sinister and serious type of burnout that needs to be addressed.”

]]>223814Grow Your Career in the New Yearhttps://www.inhouseblog.com/grow-your-career/
Mon, 31 Dec 2018 14:00:28 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=223795Make it a resolution to grow your career in the New Year. In-house counsel have much to be thankful for as they are experiencing one of the hottest legal job markets in history. But while...]]>

Make it a resolution to grow your career in the New Year. In-house counsel have much to be thankful for as they are experiencing one of the hottest legal job markets in history. But while some are working on getting an in-house counsel job, others are already enjoying the benefits and focusing on career growth.

“We all want to expand our knowledge, learn something new, prove our worth and move up the ladder. How do you get started? Knowing the right company that fits your culture, passion, and industry is the first step. But once you find the right company, how do you work your way up? Here are 5 tips on how to cultivate your career… When looking at the big picture, plan effectively, build relationships, and execute a growth strategy with guidance from your manager and mentor to progress to the next stage in your career.”

]]>223795Job Seekers, You Will Be Lied To And Misledhttps://www.inhouseblog.com/lied-to-and-misled/
Mon, 31 Dec 2018 11:21:00 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=223502Lied to and misled? Not by all but certainly by some. Wait, we thought such dastardly activity was reserved for our favorite politicians or fictional plots on binge-worthy Netflix shows. Well, if there is one...]]>

Lied to and misled? Not by all but certainly by some. Wait, we thought such dastardly activity was reserved for our favorite politicians or fictional plots on binge-worthy Netflix shows. Well, if there is one thing lawyers should know how to do well, it is to ask probing questions. Keep this in mind during the interview process.

“When you interview with a company, you’d like to believe that everyone you meet with acts honestly and in good faith. Unfortunately, this in not the case—as you will encounter blatant lies, omission of crucial facts and, at times, be misled. I’m not suggesting that there’s a nefarious plot to trick you into taking a job. It’s due, in large part, to the antiquated hiring process…The sense of applicant abundance makes each individual not that valuable—and they are treated in that fashion… The one major thing for you to do to protect yourself is to listen carefully and skeptically. Don’t be intimidated into not asking a lot of direct questions…The more questions you ask, the closer you will get to the truth.”

]]>223502Avoid Burnout And Be The Best Lawyer You Can Behttps://www.inhouseblog.com/avoid-burnout-2/
Wed, 26 Dec 2018 14:00:00 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=223580Avoid burnout and be the best lawyer you can be! Great advice for any lawyer at any stage of their career. Is it easy? Of course not, but try you must. “A new year, a...]]>

Avoid burnout and be the best lawyer you can be! Great advice for any lawyer at any stage of their career. Is it easy? Of course not, but try you must.

“A new year, a new you? Stewart Levine has spent over three decades speaking to legal professionals after suffering from burnout as a lawyer himself. His new book—The Best Lawyer You Can Be: A Guide to Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Wellness—combines personal experiences and essays from industry leaders, meant to inspire far beyond January’s best intentions. In this episode of the Modern Law Library, ABA Publishing’s Ashley Alfirevic speaks to Levine about how to engage in self-reflection, and how to implement more positive habits, self-care and collaboration into the often-stressful lawyer lifestyle.”

]]>223580Legalish – Is Everyone a Lawyer Now?https://www.inhouseblog.com/legalish/
Wed, 19 Dec 2018 14:44:09 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=221128There are a lot of lawyers and a lot of people doing legalish things – even non-lawyers. Are we all lawyers now? Will everyone get along in the legalish sandbox? We already have non-lawyers owning...]]>

“Are we right in thinking that the rapidly growing legal tech sector belongs in law firms and in-house legal departments staffed by lawyers? Or are we missing the point? We seem to be defining our customers by who they are, rather than by what they do. This was my conclusion after attending a recent legal tech get together where one of the themes seemed to be how hard it is to get a conservative legal community to adopt new technology….This experience got me thinking: ‘Aren’t we all in the legal field to some extent?’ Even if we don’t work as lawyers, we all deal with legal documents and processes.”

Better conversations are something everyone should strive for, especially lawyers. Don’t let the adversarial and contentious nature of your job prevent you from connecting through discussions and improving your leadership skills at the same time.

“One thing we all have in common is that we talk with other people. To be a great leader, your conversations with people ought to make them happy to work with you. So why not take a moment to learn what makes one of the world’s great conversationalists so effective. I am referring to Terry Gross, host of NPR’s Fresh Air…. On Nov. 11, the New York Times published an interview with Gross in which she offered eight tips for having better conversations.”

]]>222587Didn’t Get The Job? Bounce Backhttps://www.inhouseblog.com/didnt-get-the-job/
Tue, 11 Dec 2018 16:03:00 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=222136If you didn’t get the job you were pining for, keep it moving and learn from the experience. There are record numbers of in-house counsel and even General Counsel job openings and with perseverance you...]]>

If you didn’t get the job you were pining for, keep it moving and learn from the experience. There are record numbers of in-house counsel and even General Counsel job openings and with perseverance you will find your place.

“Every once in a while, there comes along a fabulous job and you want that job so bad you can taste it. You are excited because finally there is this great position with your name written all over it. That was exactly what was going on for Tom when he found this opportunity…He really wanted this job. It took time to get ready for this full-day…visit where he would meet with five different people….He was as prepared as you could get, or so he thought….He was convinced he’d get to the short list and land this job. He did not. He was pretty angry after all the time and effort he had invested. Unfortunately, there will be times when you won’t get the job…..Keep in mind job hunting is a marathon, not a sprint. You will find and land a new job but you have to keep applying and that means you need to have the motivation to keep looking. A positive mindset is a key to your success.”

]]>222136Take The Path Of Most Resistance Early In Your Careerhttps://www.inhouseblog.com/path-of-most-resistance/
Mon, 10 Dec 2018 15:45:00 +0000https://www.inhouseblog.com/?p=222196Take the path of most resistance early in your career. An expression you may not have heard, but perhaps wise advice for those looking to stretch early and become battle-hardened in-house counsel. “I get a...]]>

Take the path of most resistance early in your career. An expression you may not have heard, but perhaps wise advice for those looking to stretch early and become battle-hardened in-house counsel.

“I get a lot of questions, but one question I hear all the time is: “What should my next career move be?”. I usually talk about this question as the career choice between the path of least resistance (which most of us understand and like) and the path of most resistance (which most of us understand but don’t like because of the potential risk it presents to our career success). What does the path of most resistance look like? It could be a lot of things, from a new project totally outside of your current knowledge base, a bigger role you don’t feel capable of doing, or even taking a role you know you probably won’t like that much and don’t really even want in the short term. It is easy to convince ourselves to avoid all of those scenarios early in our careers, but here are two reasons to take that path of most resistance and why they will significantly help your career in the long run…”